Rhône Wine
Descriptions

Located along a section of the Rhone river in southeastern France, this is really two regions.

The northern Rhone is primarily the land of Syrah. The white wines are made from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Here, the Rhone Valley narrows, forming steep terraces on which the vines grow. Cooled by the harsh mistral wind, this region has a continental climate. The major Syrah appellations are, roughly from north to south, Cote-Rotie, Condrieu (Viognier), Chateau-Grillet (Viognier; monopole), Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Cornas. Saint-Peray is a bit of an oddball here, producing white sparkling wines from Marsanne and Roussanne.

The southern Rhone has a milder climate that moves seamlessly into the Mediterranean climate of Provence. The red wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsaut, and Mourvedre. The major appellations are Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Lirac, Vacqueyras, Costieres de Nimes, and Tavel. The last of these produces only rose wine. The whites are made from Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, and Ugni Blanc. Cotes du Rhone Village is the appellation given to quality wines from about 20 other villages. Cotes du Rhone is a vast section of the southern Rhone that makes mostly inexpensive, Grenache-dominated reds.

Some dessert wines are also made in the Rhone Valley. Dessert-style Condrieu is the major northern one and Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is the best-known one from the southern Rhone.

The Rhone river valley in southeastern France is a wine grape growing and wine producing area known for its red wines. The region is just under 150 miles long from north to south. It is located between the cities of Lyon in the north and Avignon in the south. There are 16 specific appellations that cover the area. All qualities of wine are produced here from Appellation Controllee to Vin de Table. Wine production is mainly red and rose, with only two percent of white wines. Wines from the Rhone achieve outstanding quality. There is opportunity to achieve greater value in the purchase of many Rhone wines versus those of Bordeaux or Burgundy. Some of the vineyards here are very rocky. Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhone are the two best-known wines to come from this region. A wide variety of wine grapes are grown and blended in this region but the two most commonly used are Syrah and Grenache.

LOCATION: The Rhône Valley vineyards run along the banks of the Rhône River between Lyon and Nimes in South East France and represents over 6000 producers. The region is divided in two distinct parts, North and South. Both areas are primarily known for red wines, but the region also makes lovely white and rosé wines.
NORTHERN RHONE: The vines benefit from a semi-continental climate between Vienne and Valence, where the SYRAH grape variety is at its best. In fact, Syrah is the only red grape variety that is permitted to be planted under AOC standards. These wines are superb with elegance and subtleness that pair nicely with stews, sausages, steaks, creamy cheeses, etc.
SOUTHERN RHONE: Between Montélimar and Avignon, the climate is fully Mediterranean with the GRENACHE grape variety far in the lead. Associated with the Syrah and Mourvèdre grape varieties, it brings spicy notes which enhance southern cooking such as different vegetable dishes, lamb, and grilled or roasted meats.
White wines from the Rhône Valley are primarily made with Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache blanc grape varieties. They pair well with chicken, fish, white meat and salads - as well alone as an aperitif or cocktail.
STYLE: Good words to describe Rhône Valley Wines are dry, fruity and sometimes spicy and peppery. Compared to some other well-known French red wines, Rhône Valley Wines have more ripeness and overall, red wines of the Rhône Valley are generous in their flavors. Their aromas are usually not overly tannic (or rough), which makes them relatively easy to enjoy, even at a young age. They are made with food in mind, easy to accommodate with almost all kind of meals.
LEVEL OF APPELLATIONS: Entry level appellation "Côtes du Rhône" wines account for 80% of the entire Rhône Valley’s production and present the simplest flavor profile. The “Côtes du Rhône Villages” tier, exclusive to the South, is comprised of 95 specific villages; 18 villages (out of the 95) may affix their name to the “Côtes du Rhône Villages” appellation (Cairanne, Séguret, Chusclan, etc.). At the top level, 15 local crus correspond to 15 villages (8 Northern, 7 Southern) whose appellations and wines are even more distinguished and their village name can stand alone. They are embraced by connoisseurs and collectors: NORTH - Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, St Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas, St Peray; SOUTH - Vinsobres, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Lirac, Tavel. ADDITIONAL AOCs of the Rhône Valley include Costieres de Nimes, Ventoux, Luberon, Coteaux du Tricastin and Cotes du Vivarais.
Rhône Valley Wines were already known by the Romans who delighted in tasting wines from this region. And of course, the Popes who resided in Avignon in the XIVth century contributed to the development of the surrounding vineyards. Today, these wines are particularly appreciated in the greatest restaurants in France and abroad.
For more information about Rhône Valley Wines, please visit www.rhone-wines.com
– Description from
efabunan1

OVERVIEW: The Rhône Valley in southeastern France is a wine grape growing and wine producing area known for its red wines. The region is just under 150 miles long from north to south. It is located between the cities of Lyon in the north and Avignon in the south. There are 16 specific appellations that cover the area. All qualities of wine are produced here from Appellation Controllee to Vin de Table. Wine production is mainly red and rose, with only two percent of white wines. Wines from the Rhône Valley achieve outstanding quality. There is opportunity to achieve greater value in the purchase of many Rhône Valley wines versus those of Bordeaux or Burgundy. Some of the vineyards here are very rocky. Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhone are the two best-known wines to come from this region. A wide variety of wine grapes are grown and blended in this region but the two most commonly used are Syrah and Grenache.
LOCATION: The Rhône Valley vineyards run along the banks of the Rhône River between Lyon and Nimes in South East France and represents over 6000 producers. The region is divided in two distinct parts, North and South. Both areas are primarily known for red wines, but the region also makes lovely white and rosé wines.
NORTHERN RHONE: The vines benefit from a semi-continental climate between Vienne and Valence, where the SYRAH grape variety is at its best. In fact, Syrah is the only red grape variety that is permitted to be planted under AOC standards. These wines are superb with elegance and subtleness that pair nicely with stews, sausages, steaks, creamy cheeses, etc.
SOUTHERN RHONE: Between Montélimar and Avignon, the climate is fully Mediterranean with the GRENACHE grape variety far in the lead. Associated with the Syrah and Mourvèdre grape varieties, it brings spicy notes which enhance southern cooking such as different vegetable dishes, lamb, and grilled or roasted meats.
White wines from the Rhône Valley are primarily made with Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache blanc grape varieties. They pair well with chicken, fish, white meat and salads - as well alone as an aperitif or cocktail.
STYLE: Good words to describe Rhône Valley Wines are dry, fruity and sometimes spicy and peppery. Compared to some other well-known French red wines, Rhône Valley Wines have more ripeness and overall, red wines of the Rhône Valley are generous in their flavors. Their aromas are usually not overly tannic (or rough), which makes them relatively easy to enjoy, even at a young age. They are made with food in mind, easy to accommodate with almost all kind of meals.
LEVEL OF APPELLATIONS: Entry level appellation "Côtes du Rhône" wines account for 80% of the entire Rhône Valley’s production and present the simplest flavor profile. The “Côtes du Rhône Villages” tier, exclusive to the South, is comprised of 95 specific villages; 18 villages (out of the 95) may affix their name to the “Côtes du Rhône Villages” appellation (Cairanne, Séguret, Chusclan, etc.). At the top level, 15 local crus correspond to 15 villages (8 Northern, 7 Southern) whose appellations and wines are even more distinguished and their village name can stand alone. They are embraced by connoisseurs and collectors: NORTH - Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, St Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas, St Peray; SOUTH - Vinsobres, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Lirac, Tavel. ADDITIONAL AOCs of the Rhône Valley include Costieres de Nimes, Ventoux, Luberon, Coteaux du Tricastin and Cotes du Vivarais.
Rhône Valley Wines were already known by the Romans who delighted in tasting wines from this region. And of course, the Popes who resided in Avignon in the XIVth century contributed to the development of the surrounding vineyards. Today, these wines are particularly appreciated in the greatest restaurants in France and abroad.
For more information about Rhône Valley Wines, please visit www.rhone-wines.com
Read more: http://www.snooth.com/region/france/rhone/?t=descriptions#ixzz0roAiFf8q
– Description from
efabunan1